How To Prevent Periodontal Disease in Senior Dogs
A Comprehensive Guide About How To Prevent Periodontal Disease In Senior Dogs:
Unfortunately, a common dental problem for senior dogs is periodontal disease and it can greatly harm a senior dog’s overall health and quality of life. It is a fact of a dog’s life that the more it ages its health concerns increase and your dog’s dental care becomes more and more important. Periodontal disease can greatly harm a senior dog’s overall health and quality of life and it pays to learn How To Prevent Periodontal Disease in Senior Dogs.
If you understand the signs, causes, and prevention methods of periodontal disease, then you can help your senior dog maintain good dental oral health. Here in this comprehensive guide we’ll talk about how to prevent periodontal disease in senior dogs.
How To Prevent Periodontal Disease in Senior Dogs – What is Periodontal Disease?:
Periodontal disease in senior dogs begins with plaque buildup that hardens into tartar and then turns into a gingivitis bacterial infection of the gums and tissues surrounding the teeth. Periodontal disease is a serious condition. If it is not treated, then bacterial infection can cause tooth loss and other horrible health issues. It is important to prevent periodontal disease in senior dogs by ridding its mouth of plaque, tartar, and gingivitis. Brushing your senior dog’s teeth is the best way to prevent periodontal disease.
What Are Signs of Periodontal Disease in Senior Dogs?:
Bad Breath: If your senior dog has continual bad breath (halitosis), even after brushing it’s teeth, then this is a sign of periodontal disease.
Gums That Are Red, Swollen, or Bleeding: All of these signs are clear indications of gingivitis, an early stage of periodontal disease. Gingivitis can often be treated with regular toothbrushing and professional dental cleanings. In some cases, your veterinarian may prescribe an antibacterial mouthwash or gel to help reduce inflammation. Treatment for gum disease may involve a combination of professional dental cleanings, tooth extractions, and antibiotics. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair damaged tissues.
Loose Teeth: As periodontal disease progresses, the supporting structures of the teeth weaken. This leads to loose teeth.
Your Senior Dog Has Difficulty Chewing: It is difficult for your dog to chew food when it suffers from painful gums and loose teeth.
Weight Loss: Because of the pain your dog has with periodontal disease has, it may not be eating all of its food. The result is that the dog loses weight as calorie consumption is decreased.
How To Prevent Periodontal Disease in Senior Dogs By Taking Action:
Do you want to prevent your senior dog from having periodontal disease and avoid professional cleaning or tooth extraction if possible? There are steps people can take in the comfort of their homes to help treat and prevent periodontal disease in senior dogs.
It all depends on how severe the periodontal disease is. A professional teeth cleaning to remove plaque and tartar may be needed for mild cases. However, in more severe cases tooth pulling may be required.
How To Prevent Periodontal Disease In Senior Dogs – Steps To Take:
Regular Brushing: Brush your dog’s teeth at least two to three times a week to remove plaque and tartar. Daily brushing is best.
Use a dog-specific toothbrush and toothpaste: Dog toothbrushes and toothpastes should be used. Dog toothpaste is very important. Dogs cannot have their teeth brushed with human toothpaste. There are special toothpastes made for dogs. Dogs cannot use human toothpaste. Dog toothpaste must be able to be swallowed or licked by the dog. Ingredients in toothpaste for humans prevent this. We can spit the toothpaste out but dogs can’t spit.
From Vet’s Best: ” Provide the best dental care for your dog with Vet’s Best Complete Enzymatic Dental Care Gel & Toothbrush Kit. Our veterinarian-formulated toothpaste contains enzymes and natural ingredients (including neem oil, grapefruit seed extract, baking soda, and aloe) that gently clean away plaque and tartar while freshening your dog?s breath. The kit includes our triple-headed toothbrush, which makes brushing quick and convenient. Three bristle heads are positioned to form around each tooth, efficiently cleaning from every angle simultaneously.” A kit with the right tools for brushing your dog’s teeth: Vet’s Best Dental Care Kit with Toothbrush and Gel for Dogs Toothpaste
A good and useful dog toothbrushing kit that has a toothbrush and an enzymatic toothpaste: Nutri-vet Oral Hygiene Kit For Dogs Is A Convenient Way To Help Maintain Healthy Gums And Teeth In Dogs Of All Ages.
Dental Chews and Treats/Toys: Dental chews and treats/toys designed to clean teeth can help reduce plaque and tartar. Happily, most dogs love having them.
Dental Diets and Proper Nutrition: A balanced diet can help maintain your senior dog’s oral health. There are dog foods specially made to help reduce plaque and tartar. Your veterinarian can determine if a dental diet would be good for your dog. Encouraging your dog to drink plenty of water by always having a clean and full bowl of water handy will help wash away food particles left in its mouth after eating and will wash out bacteria.
Great Foods For Your Senior Dog Or Any Dog:
From Bravo!: “Ingredients: Turkey, turkey bone, turkey heart, turkey gizzard, turkey liver, green beans, squash, broccoli, potassium chloride, Vitamin E, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganous oxide, potassium iodide, Vitamin D3.Guaranteed Analysis:&Crude Protein (min %) 14Crude Fat (min %) 14Crude Fiber (max %) 1Moisture (max %) 71Calorie InformationCalorie Content (calc.) ME KCal/Kg 1,808Calorie Content (calc.) ME KCal/Oz 51 Made in the USA.” Bravo! Turkey Balance Burgers 3 lb
From Smallbatch: “Pure raw way mother nature intended with convenient Frozen Dog Food:” Smallbatch Frozen Dog Food Lightly Cooked 5 Lb
From Nuggets Healthy Eats: “Blueberries Have Been Shown To Help Older Dogs Improve Cognitive Function, Evidenced By Heightened Ability To Perform Tasks And Learn New Words. Dogs With Blueberries In Their Diets Have Been Known To Have A Lower Fat Cholesterol And Triglycerides.” Nugget’s Healthy Eats Dog Frozen Yogurt Blueberry
Regularly take your dog to a veterinarian: Routine professional veterinary checkups are essential for your dog’s dental and overall health. A veterinarian can examine your pet and suggest or prescribe solutions tailored to your pet’s health. Many vets will send you notifications of when your dog is due for a visit. Schedule regular veterinary checkups to monitor your dog’s oral health.
Conclusion Of How To Prevent Periodontal Disease in Senior Dogs:
Early detection, intervention, and treatment of dental problems that can lead to periodontal disease in your senior dog can help keep your dog healthy, feeling good. and happy. By caring for your dog’s dental health and seeking professional veterinary care, your senior dog can have a longer and healthier life.